WHAT IS THE REPELLENT PLANT? (Part 2)

MOSQUITOES (or Nyamuk in Malays) is the Culicidae, are a family of small flies consisting of 3,600 species. Anyhow the word mosquito is Spanish and Portuguese word for little fly. For me that repellent plants, also known as mosquito-repelling plants, utilize their natural scents or chemicals to deter mosquitoes and other insects. Popular options include lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, catnip, and marigolds. In Malaysia mosquitoes have a slender segmented body, one pair of wings, three pairs of long hair-like legs, and specialized, highly elongated, piercing-sucking mouthparts. Mosquitoes are also a common flying insect that live in most parts of the world including in Malaysia and all the Asean countries. Reported that there are over 3,700 types of mosquitoes can be found worldwide. Normally when a mosquito bites a person, common reactions to the bite are itching and swelling depending on individual. However, some mosquitoes are vectors. A vector is an animal, insect, or tick that spreads germs to people or animals that can make them sick. The facts about mosquitoes in which I belived that almost everyone has been experience once bitten by a mosquito. Mosquitoes can spread pathogens (germs) through bites. A person who gets bitten by a mosquito and gets sick has a mosquito-borne disease like West Nile virus, dengue, or malaria. Adult mosquitoes live indoors and outdoors. Most mosquitoes can bite day and night. The adult mosquitoes live for about 2 to 4 weeks depending on the species, humidity, temperature, and other factors. Females often live longer than males. Actually, only female mosquitoes bite people and animals to get a blood meal. Most female mosquitoes need a blood meal to produce eggs. Mosquitoes get infected with germs, such as viruses and parasites, when they bite infected people and animals. Cases in a few infected mosquitoes can start an outbreak in a community and put you and your family at risk of becoming sick. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I write in few articles about some repellent plants for mosquitoes as explained.

Rosemary Plant are another great mosquito repellant is rosemary. The report stated that it was recommended this plant. Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes as well as cabbage moths and carrot flies away. They do best in hot and dry climates and thrive in containers, which may be ideal for areas with winters. They can also be pruned into all sorts of shapes and sizes and make great borders or decorations. While the pests stay away you can enjoy the herb’s scent and also use it to season your cooking. Read more about how to grow this plant. Basil plants act as a natural repellent for various insects due to their strong scent and aromatic oils, particularly effective against mosquitoes, flies, and other pests. The scent of basil, especially from the leaves, can deter or even repel these insects. Different varieties of basil, like Thai, lemon, cinnamon, and Peruvian basil, are known for their stronger scents, making them more effective as mosquito repellents.

Basil is another herb that can also double as a pest repellent. The pungent smell the basil leaves give off are what keep pests at bay. And since all kinds of basil work to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay, feel free to explore and find the right types of basil to mix into your garden. This herb likes to be kept damp, needs good drainage, and enjoys lots of sun. You can plant basil in containers or in the garden, alone or with other flowers, as long as both plants meet the same requirements. For me basil plants act as a natural repellent for various insects due to their strong, aromatic scent and the oils they produce. Specifically, basil is known to deter flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and asparagus beetles. The scent from basil can also be used to repel other pests like ants, spiders, and cockroaches.

Reported that Citronella or Scented Geranium are also a popular mosquito-repelling plant. Recommended by PlantShed, BBG, and NYBG, the favored scent seems to be lemon scented, which is reminiscent of citronella grass. The strong fragrance keeps several types of pests away. These fast-growing plants like warm, sunny, and dry climates, but if you are in a cold-climate area, they can be grown in planters with constant pruning. Citronella plants, particularly citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) and citronella geraniums, are known for their mosquito-repelling properties. Citronella grass is known for its strong, lemony scent that mosquitoes dislike. Citronella geraniums, while also containing citronella, are more grown for their fragrant leaves and attractive flowers rather than for commercial oil extraction.

 

Bee Balm Plant (Monarda) is a perennial plant known for its fragrant scent, which helps to repel mosquitoes, and its ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. It releases a strong, incense-like odor that can confuse mosquitoes by masking the smells given off by humans. As a perennial plant that looks gorgeous in the garden, horsemint (aka bee balm) offers two useful characteristics: It attracts pollinators (like bees) but repels mosquitoes. It gives off a strong, incense-like odor that confuses the pests by masking the smells given off by humans. Anybody want to attract good bugs like bees and butterflies, while deterring the bad ones? Then bee balm, also known as Monarda or horsemint, is the plant for you. Simply crush its leaves to release the fragrant oils. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy colorful flowers, in shades of red, pink, lavender, white, or purple, all summer long. This article segmented in 3 segmen. Thanks...

By,
M Anem,
Malacca,
Malaysia.
(May 2025).